Top financial advisors working with women in Downers Grove, IL

John Gritis is a financial advisor with Bentley Financial Group and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 39 years of industry experience and has been with Bentley Financial Group since 2014. Prior to this, he worked at LPL Financial starting in 2009 and has operated his own firm, Domino, Gritis & Co., since 1976. Gritis is also a one-third owner of a manufacturing company and provides tax preparation and corporate accounting services through his accounting firm. Bentley Financial Group provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $393 million in discretionary client assets, employing fundamental analysis and third-party managers, while offering a range of LPL-sponsored managed account programs and a proprietary wrap program.

Matthew Kunst is a CFP® and CFA® with nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Opus Financial Solutions LLC since 2017 and previously spent eight years at MMK Financial Services. Opus Financial Solutions provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, business owners, executives, trusts, and other entities, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management. The firm emphasizes integrated tax and accounting support alongside investment management, utilizing a combination of strategic and tactical asset allocation with ETFs, mutual funds, and alternative investments when appropriate.

James Cannan is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 45 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network since 2016 and also owns Yorkshire Financial Advisors Inc., a financial planning practice based in Downers Grove, IL. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and investment services, including specialized planning for business-owner transitions, special-needs analysis, and divorce planning, delivered through a network of financial advisors.

Ryan Knudsen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Downers Grove, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, he participates as a member of the Center Of Influence in Darien, IL. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a broad network of financial advisors and branch offices, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions under a fiduciary standard.

Lisa Mccarthy is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding the Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 12 years of industry experience. She worked at Wayne Hummer Investments L.L.C. for 10 years before rejoining LPL Financial in 2025. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that offers advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides financial planning and a variety of investment management options, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies, supported by technology tools for operational and research purposes.

Lance Lohr is a Wealth Management Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1996, focusing on advising and managing client portfolios and wealth management strategies. Lance holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) designation, along with FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 registrations. His expertise encompasses a broad range of client focus areas, including college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Lance graduated from Moeller High School, played football at Vanderbilt University, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. Lance follows Merrill's tradition of community service by volunteering with local organizations. His personal interests include football, golfing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family. He emphasizes working one-on-one with clients to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals.

Tracey Hayes is a ChFC® and Series 66 licensed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones in Albemarle, NC since 2011. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Bailey Ziemski Harwood is a financial advisor at OneAscent Financial Services LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Thrivent Investment Management Inc and Brad Nelson - Thrivent Financial. Outside of her advisory role, she is a part owner of Rapid Towing. OneAscent Financial Services LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, broker/dealers’ customers, and institutions. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, consulting, and back-office support through a variety of advisory teams and utilizes both customized and model-based investment approaches.

At Empowering Finance we know that you are bold, ambitious, and a total badass. That's why you need a financial plan that allows you to pursue your passions and live your most authentic and powerful life. The problem is a buttoned-up approach to financial planning isn't going to meet your needs. You're worried that your dreams and aspirations will get lost in a cookie-cutter system. We believe you deserve a financial planner who listens to your unique dreams and helps you build a plan to get there. We understand that you want someone who will treat your money as we do our own. Which is why we combine our experience, authenticity, financial knowledge to connect with you and enable you to pursue your passions. Here's how we do it 1) We are a fiduciary: We are legally bound to put your interests ahead of our own 2) Diversity and authenticity matter to us: We are a woman-owned business, LGBTQIA+ friendly, and welcoming to anyone and everyone who needs an ally and friend with financial savvy. 3) Our services are fee-only: We keep things simple: no surprises charges or hidden fees So, Let's Chat. So you can stop worrying you won't reach your dreams and instead work with a passion-driven firm focused on achieving your life's dreams. Read Empowering Finances's blog here: https://empoweringfinance.com/blog/

Paula Gilovich is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, where she has been working since 2022. In her role, she helps clients connect to their financial goals by translating complex financial concepts into clear and practical steps. She specializes in addressing the unique financial issues women face and supports women in planning confidently at every stage of life. Prior to her current position, Paula held roles at Fidelity Investments as a High Net Worth Service Associate in 2022 and as a Customer Relations Advocate from 2021 to 2022. Her experience at Fidelity has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of investment solutions and client service. Outside of her professional work, Paula has interests in art, Pilates, soccer, surfing, theater, and writing.